Update app.py

app.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import sys
 # 0. Configuration
 # =====================================
 REPO_ID = "wenhanacademia/ai_paper_finder"   # your private repo with DB + code
-HF_TOKEN = os.getenv("HF_TOKEN")              # set in Space Settings → Variables
+HF_TOKEN = os.getenv("HF_TOKEN", "").strip()              # set in Space Settings → Variables
 ENTRY_FILE = "app.py"                         # entry point inside that repo
 
 # =====================================